Collagen provides tensile stiffness and strength, whereas the biopolymer elastin, in the form of elastic fibers, provides compliance and supports stress during multiaxial deformation.

The extracellular matrix is rich in collagen and elastic fibers. Collagen provides tissues with tensile strength to resist deformation. Elastin provides tissues with elasticity to withstand repetitive stress. We review collagen and elastin assembly and mechanical properties.

Collagen–elastin matrix with split‐thickness skin grafts is a useful tool in deep soft tissue. The time to heal can be reduced. Keywords: Collagen–elastin matrix, deep soft tissue defects, dermal substitutes, mesh‐graft transplantation, vacuum‐assisted closure.

Confocal microscopy was used to examine the general composition and structure of the fibroblast-synthesised ECM by obtaining z-stacked images to display the conformation, distribution and orientation of proteins including FN, collagen type VI and elastin.